|
(11) | EP 2 112 975 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
|
|
| (54) |
REAL- TIME PRINT PRODUCT STATUS ECHTZEIT-DRUCKPRODUKTSTATUS ETAT D'UN PRODUIT D'IMPRESSION EN TEMPS RÉEL |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a printing press according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a press is known from US6112658. US5,999,636 discloses another printing press. The invention refers more particularly to automatically controlled printing presses.
[0002] In a printing press, for example, an offset web printing press, the web is typically run through a printing section, a dryer and a folder. Multiple characteristics of the web may change throughout the printing and finishing process. These characteristics include registration, such as lateral, circumferential and print-to-cut registration, and print quality, including color density, dot gain, and contrast. Other characteristics may include skew and wetness or dryness of the printed ink.
[0003] In automatically controlled printing presses, for example, Omnicon™ controls and Omni Makeready™ available for the Goss Sunday® and Goss M-600™, learning algorithms automatically adjust based on data from previous jobs and closed loop control allows full integration with the press controls to reduce response time and waste. The controller for the printing press is automatic and adjusts for a variety of characteristics without operator input.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the self-adjusting printing press systems, an operator may not be aware of changes in characteristics of the web including registration and print quality or at what location the changes are occurring, since the press is adjusting automatically. Thus, manual intervention by the operator may not be desired, and lead to undesired or improper interference with the automated processes.
[0005] In addition, automated systems may automatically reject products without knowledge of why the rejection is occurring.
[0006] The present invention further provides a web printing press according to claim 1 thus comprising:
at least one printing unit for printing a web;
a first sensor sensing a first characteristic of the web or a printed product at a first location downstream of the at least one printing unit;
a second sensor sensing a second characteristic of the web or the printed product at a second location downstream of the first location;
a controller connected to the first and second sensors; and
a first indicator indicating a first web or printed product condition as a function of the first sensor at the first location and a second indicator indicating a second web or printed product condition as a function of the second sensor at the second location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be elucidated with reference to the drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a printing press having an indicator according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows sensors located along a web according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows a graphic user interface displaying the indicator in Fig. 1; and
Figs. 4 through 10 show a web and resultant printed products moving through the printing press in Fig. 1 at different points in time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0008] Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a printing press 10 including press components, such as, printing section 20, dryer 22 and folder 24. Printing section 20 prints an image on web 18, the image is dried via dryer 22 and folder 24 folds and cuts web 18 into printed products 28. Printed products 28 are transported to a conveyor 50. Conveyor 50 includes a waste gate 52 which discards rejected printed products 28'.
[0009] Printing section 20 is connected to a controller 120. Controller 120 counts the number of impressions printed on web 18, for example, through a cuunter 19 on a plate cylinder. Through known variables including distance and speed of press 10, controller 120 can determine the location of each impression along the path of web 18. Sensors 30, 32, 34 are connected to a personal computer (PC) 110. Controller 120 and PC 110 are connected to graphic user interface (GUI) 200.
[0010] Sensors 30, 32, 34 detect characteristics of web 18 including images printed on web 18 and resultant printed products 28. The detectable characteristics may include color density, dot gain, contrast, lateral register, circumferential register, skew, cut-off, print-to-cut registration and folder head-to-tail spacing, wetness, dryness and any other characteristic detectable on web 18 or printed products 28 during print production and finishing. The status of these characteristics may be detected at multiple locations in the product stream, for example, by sensors 30, 32, 34. Sensor 30 may be a color density sensor located downstream of printing section 20. Sensor 32 may be a dryer sensor located downstream of dryer 20 and sensor 34 may be a cut-off sensor located downstream of folder 24.
[0011] Each sensor 30, 32, 34 may be associated with a light indicator 40, 42, 44, for example, a light pole, having a lighting arrangement 60 that contains, for example, four lights 62, 64, 66, 68. Once sensors 30, 32, 34 detect a characteristic of web 18, the image or printed product 28, lighting arrangement 60 will illuminate lights 62, 64, 66, 68 in such a way to signal to an operator the real-time status of web 18, image or printed product 28. Preferably, light indicators 40, 42, 44 are controlled by and connected to PC 110, for example, via an Ethernet connection, each light indicator 40, 42, 44 having a controller 120 for receiving instructions from PC 110 and controlling the respective lights, 62, 64, 66, 68. For example, when sensor 34 detects printed product 28' has been improperly cut, lighting arrangement 60 on light indicator 44 signals product 28' is faulty due to improper cutting, for example, by illuminating a red light 62 on indicator 44 when product 28' passes sensor 34. If the next product after 28' is good as it passes sensor 34 the light is turned off. In addition, light indicator 46 signals the real-time status of waste gate 52. Light indicator 46 indicates when a good product 28 passes and the reasons why a bad product 28' is dumped via waste gate 52, and thus, for example, may illuminate red light 62 on indicator 46 when product 28' is at waste gate 52.
[0012] Figs. 4 through 10 show four images A, B, C and D on web 18 and resulting printed products A, B, C and D moving through printing press 10 at different points of time T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6. In Fig. 4, color density sensor 30 detects image A at an initial time T0. Light indicator 40 indicates that the color density of image A is acceptable.
[0013] Fig. 5 shows a position of images A and B in printing press 10 a short time later, time T1. Dryer sensor 32 detects image A. Light indicator 42 indicates the dryness of image A is acceptable. Color density sensor 30 detects image B. Light indicator 40 is illuminated in such a way to indicate the color density of image B is not acceptable so resultant product B will be rejected via waste gate 52 further downstream. At time T1, the operator is alerted to the reject status of subsequent product B due to, at a minimum, unacceptable color density at indicator 40.
[0014] Fig. 6 shows a position of product A and images B and C in printing press at a later time, time T2. Cut-off sensor 34 detects image A. Light indicator 44 indicates cut-off of product A is acceptable. Dryer sensor 32 detects image B. Light indicator 42 indicates dryness of image B is acceptable. Color density sensor 30 detects image C. Light indicator 40 indicates the color density of image C is not acceptable so resultant product C will also be rejected via waste gate 52 further downstream. Thus, at time T2, the operator is alerted to the reject status of subsequent product C due to, at a minimum, unacceptable color density. It is also possible at indicator 42 to show that image B is not acceptable for color density. However, if this is not the case, only one light would be necessary at indicator 42 to indicate dryness.
[0015] Fig. 7 shows product A at waste gate 52 at a time T3. Light indicator 46 indicates to the operator that product A is acceptable and will be further transported via conveyor 50. Cut-off sensor 34 detects product B. Light indicator 44 indicates cut-off of product B is not acceptable. Thus, at time T3, the operator is alerted to another reason product B will be rejected via waste gate 52. Dryer sensor 32 detects image C. Light indicator 42 indicates dryness of image C is acceptable. Color density sensor 32 detects product D. Light indicator 40 indicates the color density of image D is not acceptable, so resultant product D will be rejected via waste gate 52 further downstream. Thus, at time T3, the operator is alerted to the reject status of subsequent product D due to, at a minimum, unacceptable color density.
[0016] Fig, 8 shows product B at waste gate 52 at a time T4. Light indicator 46 indicates product B is being rejected via waste gate 52 due to unacceptable color density and unacceptable cut-off. Light indicator 44 indicates product C has acceptable cut-off while light indicator 42 indicates dryness of image D is not acceptable. Thus, at time T4, the operator is alerted to the real-time status of rejected product B due to unacceptable color density and unacceptable cut-off, the real-time status of product C at cut-off sensor 34 and the real-time status of image D at dryer sensor 32.
[0017] Fig. 9 shows product C at waste gate 52 at a time T5. Light indicator 46 indicates product C is being rejected via waste gate 52 due to unacceptable color density. Cut-off sensor 34 detects product D and light indicator 44 indicates to the operator that cut-off for product D is unacceptable. Thus, at time T5 light indicator 46 provides real-time status of rejected product C at waste gate 52 and product D at sensor 34.
[0018] Fig. 10 shows product D at waste gate 52 at a time T6. Light indicator 46 indicates product D is being rejected due to unacceptable color density, unacceptable dryness and unacceptable cut-off. Thus, at time T6, the operator is alerted to every reason why product D is being rejected via waste gate 52.
[0019] GUI 200 displays real-time status of web 18 and products 28, 28' for an operator. GUI 200 receives count data from controller 120 and process data from sensors 30, 32, 34. Taken in combination, GUI 200 creates a graphical representation of web 18 and products 28, 28' with real-time status providing a press operator or user with real-time status of web 18 and subsequent products 28, 28' running through printing press 10.
[0020] When the press operator knows real-time print status the operator may quickly determine print defects in the delivery stream, where print defects are located in the stream, and when delivery of bad products is expected. The press operator can use the status to evaluate the state, condition and trends of the printing cycle. Thus, the press operator can determine if printing press 10 is self-adjusting or if manual intervention is desired. Furthermore, instructions could be provided via GUI 200 to tell the operator what actions the software is taking to correct a problem, so that the operator does not take duplicative or interfering steps. Additionally, GUI 200 could inform the operator of information or instruction to correct the problem.
[0021] As shown in Fig. 3, the GUI 200 displays a graphical representation of real-time job status. Web icon 118 shows real-time status of web 18 (Fig. 1), sensor icons 130, 132, 134 show real-time status of sensors 30, 32, 34 (Fig. 1), light icons 140, 142, 144, 146 show real-time status of light indicators 40, 42, 44, 46 (Fig. 1) and product icons 128 show real-time status of printed products 28, 28' (Fig. 1). GUI 200 receives information from controller 120 and PC 110 to continually reflect changes in the real-time job status printing press 10.
[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, a variety of sensors may bc incorporated into the present invention. A skew sensor 232 may be aligned with web 18 to check skew along the path of web 18. Lateral register sensor 230 may be aligned alongside web 18 to check for disposition of web 18. Circumferential register sensor 234 may be positioned on the centerline of web 18 to check for disposition of web 18. Color density sensor 236 may be positioned to check color density of the impressions.
[0023] In an additional preferred embodiment the light device may be replaced with any type of indicating device. The indicator may he visual to alert the operator to real-time status. The indicators may be in a spatial relationship with the web and product stream. In an additional preferred embodiment, the graphical user interface may provide the indicators, whether or not light indicator poles are provided.
[0024] In a further preferred embodiment, tolerance ranges of each characteristic may be represented by light arrangements 60 on each light indicator 40, 42, 44, 46. In this embodiment, the operator can view trends developing at each sensor location. For example, a green light may indicate the product is within a first acceptable range, a yellow light may indicate the product is within a second acceptable range, an orange light may indicate the product is within a third acceptable range and a red light may indicate the product is not acceptable. The operator may also view the printing press 10 self-correcting characteristics at each sensor location.
[0025] In the preceding specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and examples thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense.
1. A web printing press (10) comprising:
characterized in that the printing press comprises a folder (24) which folds and cuts web (18) into printed products (28)
in that each indicator is a light indicator (40, 42, 44), to which one of the sensors is associated and
in that the first condition indicated by the first indicator is represented on a graphic user interface (200).
at least one printing unit for printing a web (18);
a first sensor (30, 32) sensing a first characteristic of the web or a printed product at a first location downstream of the at least one printing unit;
a controller (120) connected to the first sensor; and
a first indicator (40, 42) indicating a first web or printed product condition as a function of the first sensor at the first location,
a second sensor (32, 34) sensing a second characteristic of the web or the printed product at a second location downstream of the first location;
a second indicator (42, 44) indicating a second web or printed product condition as a function of the second sensor at the second location and
the controller (120) being connected to the second sensor,characterized in that the printing press comprises a folder (24) which folds and cuts web (18) into printed products (28)
in that each indicator is a light indicator (40, 42, 44), to which one of the sensors is associated and
in that the first condition indicated by the first indicator is represented on a graphic user interface (200).
2. The web printing press as recited in claim 1 wherein the graphical user interface
200 comprises Web icon (118) which shows real-time status of web (18), sensor icons
(130, 132, 134) which show real-time status of sensors (30, 32, 34), light icons (140,
142, 144, 146) which show real-time status of light indicators (40, 42, 44, 46) and
product icons (128) which show real-time status of printed products (28, 28').
3. The web printing press as recited in claim 1 or 2 wherein the graphical user interface
(200) creates a graphical representation of web (18) and products (28, 28') with real-time
status providing a press operator or user with real-time status of web (18) and subsequent
products (28, 28') running through printing press (10).
4. The web printing press as recited in any one of the previous claims, further comprising
a dryer (22).
5. The web printing press as recited in any one of claim 1 to 4 wherein an operator can
enter inputs into the graphic user interface to manually adjust the first characteristic.
6. The web printing press as recited in claim 5 wherein the operator can view effects
of the inputs.
7. The web printing press as recited in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein at least one
of the first and second indicators is a light pole having a first light (62, 64, 66,
68), the first light being controlled as a function of the first characteristic.
8. The web printing press as recited in claim 7 wherein the light pole includes a second
light (62, 64, 66, 68).
1. Rollendruckpresse (10), welche aufweist:
zumindest eine Druckeinheit zum Bedrucken einer Bahn (18);
einen ersten Sensor (30, 32), der eine erste Eigenschaft der Bahn oder eines bedruckten Produkts an einer ersten Stelle stromabwärts der zumindest einen Druckeinheit erfasst;
eine Steuervorrichtung (120), die mit dem ersten Sensor verbunden ist; und
eine erste Anzeigevorrichtung (40, 42), die den Zustand einer ersten Bahn oder eines bedruckten Produkts als eine Funktion des ersten Sensors an dem ersten Ort anzeigt,
einen zweiten Sensor (32, 34), der eine zweite Eigenschaft der Bahn oder des bedruckten Produkts an einer zweiten Stelle stromabwärts der ersten Stelle erfasst;
eine zweite Anzeigevorrichtung (42, 44), die den Zustand einer zweiten Bahn oder eines zweiten bedruckten Produkts als eine Funktion des zweiten Sensors an der zweiten Stelle anzeigt, wobei die Steuervorrichtung (120) mit dem zweiten Sensor verbunden ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Druckpresse eine Faltvorrichtung (24) aufweist, die die Bahn (18) in bedruckte Produkte (28) faltet und schneidet,
dass jede Anzeigevorrichtung eine Lichtanzeigevorrichtung (40, 42, 44) ist, mit der einer der Sensoren assoziiert ist, und
dass der durch die erste Anzeigevorrichtung angezeigte erste Zustand auf einer Benutzergrafikschnittstelle (200) dargestellt wird.
2. Rollendruckpresse nach Anspruch 1, bei der die Benutzergrafikschnittstelle (200) ein
Web-Bildzeichen (118), das den Echtzeitzustand der Bahn (18) zeigt, Sensorbildzeichen
(130,132,134), die den Echtzeitzustand von Sensoren (30, 32, 34) zeigen, Lichtbildzeichen
(140, 142, 144, 146), die den Echtzeitzustand von Lichtanzeigevorrichtungen (40, 42,
44, 46) zeigen, und Produktbildzeichen (128), die den Echtzeitzustand von bedruckten
Produkten (28, 28') zeigen, aufweist.
3. Rollendruckpresse nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, bei der die Benutzergrafikschnittstelle
(200) eine grafische Darstellung der Bahn (18) und der Produkte (28, 28') mit Echtzeitzustand
erzeugt, die einen Pressenbediener oder Benutzer mit dem Echtzeitzustand der Bahn
(18) und von nachfolgenden Produkten (18, 28'), die durch die Druckpresse (10) laufen,
versieht.
4. Rollendruckpresse nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, weiterhin einen Trockner
(22) aufweisend.
5. Rollendruckpresse nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei der eine Bedienungsperson
Eingaben in die Benutzergrafikschnittstelle eingeben kann, um die erste Eigenschaft
manuell einzustellen.
6. Rollendruckpresse nach Anspruch 5, bei der die Bedienungsperson Wirkungen der Eingaben
betrachten kann.
7. Rollendruckpresse nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei der zumindest eine von der
ersten und der zweiten Anzeigevorrichtung ein Lichtpfosten mit einem ersten Licht
(62, 64, 66, 68) ist, wobei das erste Licht als eine Funktion der ersten Eigenschaft
gesteuert wird.
8. Rollendruckpresse nach Anspruch 7, bei der der Lichtpfosten ein zweites Licht (62,
64, 66, 68) enthält.
1. Presse à imprimer à bandes (10), comprenant :
caractérisé en ce que la presse à imprimer comprend une plieuse (24) qui plie et découpe la bande (18) en des produits imprimés (28) ;
en ce que chaque indicateur est un indicateur lumineux (40, 42, 44) auquel l'un des capteurs est associé ; et
en ce que le premier état indiqué par le premier indicateur est représenté sur une interface utilisateur graphique (200).
au moins une unité d'impression destinée à imprimer une bande (18) ;
un premier capteur (30, 32) détectant une première caractéristique de la bande ou un produit imprimé à un premier emplacement en aval de ladite au moins une unité d'impression ;
un dispositif de commande (120) connecté au premier capteur ; et
un premier indicateur (40, 42) indiquant un premier état de produit imprimé ou de bande en fonction du premier capteur au premier emplacement ;
un second capteur (32, 34) détectant une seconde caractéristique de la bande ou le produit imprimé à un second emplacement en aval du premier emplacement ;
un second indicateur (42, 44) indiquant un second état de produit imprimé ou de bande en fonction du second capteur au second emplacement ; et
le dispositif de commande (120) étant connecté au second capteur ;caractérisé en ce que la presse à imprimer comprend une plieuse (24) qui plie et découpe la bande (18) en des produits imprimés (28) ;
en ce que chaque indicateur est un indicateur lumineux (40, 42, 44) auquel l'un des capteurs est associé ; et
en ce que le premier état indiqué par le premier indicateur est représenté sur une interface utilisateur graphique (200).
2. Presse à imprimer à bandes selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'interface utilisateur
graphique (200) comprend une icône de bande (118) qui indique l'état de bande en temps
réel (18), des icônes de capteurs (130, 132, 134) qui indiquent l'état de capteurs
en temps réel (30, 32, 34), des icônes d'éclairage (140, 142, 144, 146) qui indiquent
l'état d'indicateurs lumineux en temps réel (40, 42, 44, 46) et des icônes de produits
(128) qui indiquent l'état de produits imprimés en temps réel (28, 28').
3. Presse à imprimer à bandes selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle l'interface
utilisateur graphique (200) crée une représentation graphique de la bande (18) et
des produits (28, 28') où l'état en temps réel fournit à un utilisateur ou opérateur
de la presse l'état en temps réel de la bande (18) et des produits subséquents (28,
28') transitant par la presse à imprimer (10).
4. Presse à imprimer à bandes selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes,
comprenant en outre un sécheur (22).
5. Presse à imprimer à bandes selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans laquelle
un opérateur peut saisir des entrées dans l'interface utilisateur graphique en vue
d'ajuster manuellement la première caractéristique.
6. Presse à imprimer à bandes selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle l'opérateur peut
observer les effets des entrées.
7. Presse à imprimer à bandes selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans laquelle
au moins l'un des premier et second indicateurs est un pylône d'éclairage présentant
un premier éclairage (62, 64, 66, 68), le premier éclairage étant commandé en fonction
de la première caractéristique.
8. Presse à imprimer à bandes selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle le pylône d'éclairage
inclut un second éclairage (62, 64, 66, 68).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description